Ornamental cover for hearing aids



y 1952 D. E. GREENWOOIS 2,595,672

ORNAMENTAL COVER FOR HEARING AIDS Filed March 18, 1949 INVHVTOR. DOROTHEA EGREENWOOD,

BY ATroRA EY Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ORNAMENTAL COVER FOR HEARING AIDS Dorothea E. Greenwood, Lake Worth, Fla.

Application March 18, 1949, Serial No. 82,109

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to ornamental covers for hearing aids and has particular reference to a detachable ornament supporting device for covering the hearing aids so as to disguise their appearance.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a resilient clamp adapted to be detachably supported on the hearing aid and to conform to the shape thereof, together with means for supporting an ornament, such as are commonly worn by women in the form of ear rings and contemplates such clamps whereby the wearer may substitute one for the other in different colors and ornamental effects.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a split ring clamp adapted to be engaged over the hearing aid of conventional form and which will automatically conform to varying sizes of aids and carries integral means for supporting ornamental devices such as artiflcial flower clusters, shell ornaments or the like, such ornament being of a size as to adequately cover and hide the hearing aid.

A further object of the invention resides in the extreme simplicity of the clamp, the ease of attaching or detaching, is extremely cheap to manufacture, the cost permitting the user to maintain several clamps having ornaments of different designs and colors and is highly effective for the purposes intended.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated a preferred form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hearing aid and the detachable clamp and ornament in disassembled position,

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 4, with the hearing aid in elevation.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the clamp, with the ornament removed,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the cover in a sembled position upon a hearing aid,

Figure 5 is a rear elevation of the clamp and its attached ornament.

Like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several figures of the drawmgs.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a conventional hearing aid of generally cylindrical form, having an ear piece 6 and lead-in cord plugs I. The plugs l are detachably connected to the aid 5 and may be easily withdrawn and reinserted, as becomes necessary for the mounting of the cover, to be described.

A clamp, indicated as a whole by the numeral 8, comprises flexible ring 9, of metal or other suitable material, split transversely on one side, as at 10 and having its ends in overlapping relation, as clearly shown. The ring is provided with an inwardly extending annular flange H. The ring, at a point diametrically opposite the split, is widened and extended, at [2 and the material is then bent downwardly at 13, to provide a disc-like ornament supporting plate M. The widened area of the ring is slotted at [5 to provide clearance for the cord plugs I. The plate M, has cemented or otherwise attached thereto, an ornament 16, in the form of a cluster of artificial flowers or the like and of a size in diameter to extend completely beyond the area of the hearing aid and serves to successfully mask the aid from normal view.

In the use of the device, it is contemplated, that the user will be equipped with several sets of clamps and ornaments, corresponding to the various desired color combinations suitable for the particular gown or hair styling. The user selects a particular ornament supporting clamp, removes the cord plug 1 and, by flexing the split ring 9 outwardly, engages the same over the hearing aid 5. with the slot l5 positioned over the plug openings. The flexibility of the ring will cause it to firmly grip the hearing aid against slipping around, while the flange H serves to maintain the ring against lateral shifting. The split ring readily adapts the device to hearing aids of varying diameters. After the ring has been placed in position, the cord plugs i are then reinserted and the ornament is securely held in masking position over the aid. It is contemplated that the clamp and the ornament shall be made of extremely light weight material, with little added weight to the hearing aid.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a very desirable means has been provided to mask the hearing aids. The clamp is easily and quickly attached or detached, adds no objectionable weight to the aid and successfully disguises the hearing aid for persons hesitant about wearing the hearing devices due to their very pronounced appearance. The hearing aid cover used in conjunction with the companion ornament for the other ear, presents a very desirable combination. The devices are cheap to manufacture, are strong, durable and highly effective in use.

It is to be understood, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown, but

that it includes within its purview, whatever changes fairly come within either the terms or the spiru of the appended claim.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

A masking cover for hearing aids of that type having a body portion of cylindrical form with slightly spaced cord plugs detachably projecting from its periphery, comprising a flat split ring having its ends overlapping, said ring having an inwardly extending annular flange on one side for engagement behind the hearing aid, said ring being slotted at a point diametrically opposite the split for clearance passage of the plugs, a lateral integral extension formed on the ring and projecting forwardly from the ring at a point adjacent the slot, said extension bent downward- 1y to provide a disc-like plate overlying and positioned substantially concentrically of the ring and the hearing aid and a decorative ornament secured to said plate of a size to substantially mask the hearing aid.

DOROTHZEA E. GREENWOOD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,900,098 Cooper Mar. 7, 1933 2,069,598 Arpels Feb. 2, 1937 2,329,046 Halbig Sept. 7, 1943 2,410,914 Williams Nov. 12, 1946 2,414,382 McCann Jan. 14, 1947 2,477,046 Davenport July 26, 1949 2,486,534 Medlin Nov. 1, 1949 

